Union slams plans to remove fire engines from stations and axe on-call firefighters claiming it will cost lives
A union has criticised plans to remove fire engines from several stations and axe on-call firefighters saying it will put lives at risk.
Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority this week discussed a proposal to remove eight fire engines across the region, downgrade fire cover in Wyre Forest, and axe 45 on-call firefighters.
Under the proposals, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) would remove eight fire engines from eight separate fire stations which have multiple pumps – including one from Wyre Forest Station in Kidderminster which currently has four.
Other stations where fire engines would be removed are in Redditch, Hereford, Worcester, Bromyard, Malvern, Leominster and Droitwich.
The plans also involve changing the third fire engine at the Wyre Forest site to 'night only-cover'.
The Fire Brigades Union says firefighters have warned that reducing fire engines by 20 per cent, from 41 to 33, will put the public and firefighters at serious risk.
A public consultation on the proposals is now scheduled to open in January.
